YouTuber Plentiful Props 3D has developed a functional Spider Man-inspired web shooter that combines custom electronics, 3D-printed parts, and a servo-actuated spray mechanism to fire web-like strands from a wrist-mounted wearable. The project uses an ESP32-S3 Mini development board mounted on a custom PCB to control the firing mechanism. According to the creator, the electronics package includes an ESP32-S3 Mini, an 18650 lithium-ion battery, a TP4056 charging module, a kill switch, and connections for the trigger button and servo motor.
Unlike conventional spray mechanisms, the web shooter is designed to mimic Spider Man's iconic wrist-mounted gadget. Pressing the trigger button signals the ESP32, which actuates a servo motor that mechanically depresses a modified nasal spray pump containing the custom web fluid. Developing the actuation mechanism proved to be one of the most challenging aspects of the build. The creator experimented with multiple designs, including MG90S servos, N20 motors paired with Scotch yoke mechanisms, and snail cam mechanisms before settling on a high-torque Corona DS239MG metal gear servo, which provided sufficient force and reliability to operate the spray pump.
The wearable housing and fluid cartridge were custom designed and 3D printed. The enlarged fluid reservoir was printed using polypropylene filament due to its resistance to acetone, which is used as part of the web fluid formulation. The custom cartridge also incorporates the thread dimensions of a commercial nasal spray tip to ensure compatibility with the spray mechanism.
The web shooter fires a web-like fluid made from one part Fabri Tac fabric glue and two parts acetone, a formulation shared by another creator known as Certified Thwip. The resulting strands closely resemble Spider Man's signature webs when sprayed outdoors. While inspired by comic book fiction, the project offers an interesting look at multidisciplinary hardware prototyping, bringing together embedded electronics, mechanical design, materials selection, and wearable product development in a single DIY build.
